By reducing payment terms from 30 days to 7-14 days, businesses can significantly improve their cash flow. I suggest that you immediately change your POS System to do this.

The traditional 30-day payment system is a relic from our pre-digital past. Businesses then relied on paper invoices and the mail. As a result, these extended payment terms made practical sense. The 30-day terms accommodate the slow, manual payment process. Today, with electronic invoicing and point-of-sale (POS) software, these delays have been fixed. Most invoices and payments are now sent immediately electronically. Customers can pay within minutes of receiving the invoices. However, many still use outdated 30-day terms, unnecessarily delaying their payments.

This outdated approach creates serious financial consequences for businesses. Consider this example from a customer of ours who completed a rush job worth $4,000. They were expecting quick payment for the urgent work, yet on their invoice, their standard 30-day invoice terms gave the customer permission to wait the whole month. What should have been a few days stretched into two months of waiting.

When you offer 30-day terms, you're telling your customers to wait 30 days.

Today, Australian small businesses wait 22.6 days on average to receive payment. Invoices arrive 6.5 days late on average across all industries.

Setting Up Effective Payment Terms

Clear, standardised payment terms eliminate confusion and set proper expectations. Always specify the exact due date on every invoice using these standard business terms:

Net 7

Say "Payment due in 7 calendar days"

Net 14

Say "Payment due in 14 calendar days"

Net 30

Say "Payment due in 30 calendar days"

Due on Receipt

Say "Payment due immediately, now"

For most businesses, Net 7 or Net 14 terms work well. Reserve longer terms only for specific business relationships that require them.

Customer-Specific Term Strategies

Analyse customer payment history to determine appropriate terms for different clients. Large customers often dictate their own payment terms as a condition of business. There's nothing you can do about that; no matter what they say, their accounting department works by the rules.

Use your POS System for Faster Payments

Set Net 7 or Net 14 as your standard terms for all new invoices. This automation ensures every invoice includes appropriate payment terms without requiring your manual intervention for each transaction.

Immediately send Invoices

Send your invoices immediately upon work completion. The sooner you send the invoice, the sooner your payment can come. If you take weeks to bill, then customers will take weeks to pay. Best to send invoices the same day you deliver products or complete services. With a computer, you do not need to batch invoices for weekly or monthly processing.

Utilise your customer balance reports

Use your POS system's ageing reports to identify overdue invoices and track payment delays. Do it systematically.

Offer Multiple Payment Methods

Provide customers with various convenient payment options:

• Credit and debit cards
• Direct bank transfer
• Online banking (include your BSB and account number)
• Digital payment platforms

Ensure they are clear, as you do not want any friction; eliminate reasons for customers to contact you for payment information.

Pre-Due Reminders

Send friendly reminders 2-3 days before payment deadlines. Include the specific due date to eliminate confusion. For example, specify "Payment due Wednesday, March 15th" rather than vague references like "in two days." On Monday, two days is Wednesday, on Wednesday it now means Friday.

Post-Due Follow-Up

Send follow-up reminders 3 days after due dates. Maintain a professional tone while clearly stating the overdue amount, and the payment is due NOW.

Personal Phone Contact

When these reminders fail to produce results, make direct phone calls. What I do is on the back of a printed invoice, I write notes immediately after the call with a date and time. I have had to use it once, and the judge accepted the notes as evidence.

Maximising Government Payment Speed with eInvoicing

Government departments are increasingly using an eInvoicing system. If you use it, it can dramatically accelerate payment processing. Contact relevant government departments to determine their terms for eInvoicing.

The Cash Flow Impact: Transform Your Business

The fact is that Cash flow problems cause more business failures than any other financial issue. Running out of working capital forces many profitable businesses to close.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) on Thursday, 11 September 2025, published POS Solutions’ latest submission to its review of merchant card payment costs and surcharging, now in its second round of consultation.

We were asked, in view of the importance to news agencies of the proposed ban on surcharging, to submit our views.

Here is the press release of our submission to the Reserve Bank.

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

POS Solutions Challenges RBA Surcharge Ban, Proposes Real-Time Fee Competition to Genuinely Lower Merchant Costs

POS Solutions, a leading Australian provider of POS systems, has made a formal submission to the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) review of merchant card payment costs. The submission warns that the proposed ban on card payment surcharging fails to address the root cause of high fees and will unfairly penalise small businesses by forcing them to absorb costs they cannot control.

The submission argues that banning transparent surcharges does not eliminate the cost of acceptance; it merely hides it. This forces retailers to subsidise the expensive rewards programs associated with premium credit cards, an anti-competitive practice that disadvantages small merchants who lack the negotiating power of larger corporations. Furthermore, POS Solutions challenges the RBA's assumption that card payments are universally cheaper than cash, a claim that overlooks the reality for many small businesses where time and labour are not accounted for in the same way as in large organisations.

"A surcharge ban is a band-aid on a bullet wound," said Bernard Zimmermann, a retail expert at POS Solutions. "It doesn't solve the core problem the fees create and the hidden costs passed on to merchants. Our concern is that this move will create new, hidden fees that ultimately harm the very businesses the RBA aims to protect."

As an alternative, POS Solutions has proposed a forward-thinking approach that would require many payment acquirers to provide per-transaction fee quotes in advance for each transaction. It would allow a merchant's **Point of Sale (POS) system** to choose the most cost-effective processing method for each transaction and also inform the merchant of the cost beforehand. It would create genuine competition among providers and give businesses better control over their expenses. It would be a notable improvement over the current structure.

"Our proposal for real-time fee competition would empower merchants with the transparency they currently need," Zimmermann added. "This practical solution could be implemented within months and would deliver real savings by letting technology find the lowest cost for every transaction."

About POS Solutions:
POS Solutions is a leading provider of **Point of Sale (POS) system** technology for Australian businesses. With extensive expertise in the challenges faced by small to medium-sized enterprises, the company delivers innovative and dependable POS systems.

**Media Contact:**

Details below

POS Solutions submission

To read POS Solutions' submission in full, please visit the RBA's Website for submissions on the Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging here.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Hidden inventory, which includes marketable stock forgotten in storage areas, unopened boxes, and dead zones, can represent one of retail's most costly yet overlooked problems in inventory management and retail stock control.

Understanding Forgotten Stock vs Slow Stock vs Dead Stock

Let us first discuss what we are talking about.

Forgotten stock

It is marketable inventory that remains forgotten and hidden from customers. Often found in the back rooms, under counters, and in unopened shipping containers. It is defined as unsold or excessive inventory that is silently draining a business's profits through storage costs, potential obsolescence, and tied-up capital

Slow Stock

It is stock that moves only very slowly in your shop.

Dead stock

It is merchandise that has become unsellable, e.g. expiration dates, damage, or fashion.

Now what happens is that your Point-of-sale reporting systems will categorise these forgotten items as either slow or dead stock because their sales are so low. It misrepresents your inventory. These items are often marketable but invisible to the customers. It represents stock that can be turned into working capital now.

Our recent installation of a POS System in a shop perfectly illustrates this problem's scope and impact. We found substantial quantities of saleable inventory uselessly stored in unopened boxes throughout the shop. It was not just in the store room but everywhere, and some of it was never accounted for in their stock-take. This stock comprised marketable products that had been forgotten and so removed from sales.

In my experience, a significant reason for the problem is that suppliers often encourage you to purchase stock to maximise their own revenue objectives.

Why Suppliers Create Hidden Inventory Problems

Partly it is to maximise their own revenue objectives, but it also serves a strategic aim of securing your loyalty by pushing their stock on you, as it makes it harder for you to go elsewhere. The reasoning here is that it would be harder for you to buy stock from supplier B if you still have much of their stock.

Understanding supplier motivations helps prevent future accumulation, but first, you need to identify existing hidden inventory using these systematic approaches.

How to Find Hidden Inventory in Your Shop

I suggest that you do the following.

Computer audit

Run a slow and/or dead stock report in your POS Software. It will provide you with a list of items that are not selling. It only takes you a minute and will give you an instant picture of the problem. Many of you will be surprised by what you find in these reports.

Physical Search

Then look for unopened boxes, which you may find in your storage area and under the counter spaces. Please go through them. You may have a lot of boxes in your garage at home as well.

Dead areas

Look on the shelves in areas that rarely sell, as you may have goods there that are not selling because they are located in a dead zone in the shop.

Inventory Management System

If it turns out to be a problem, you need to address the leading cause: your purchasing. How is it being done? What controls do you have in place before ordering?

Here is a quick checklist:

Make a realistic sales projection

If you have our POS System, it has a focus figure, which is an AI weekly sales estimate. If not, then consider the current sales in light of seasonal factors, market trends, and historical performance data.

Now look at this figure to see what you need now.

Technology Solutions

Run a computer ordering report and then review it. Our system features an AI component, but most POS software includes some form of automatic ordering method. These are hardly perfect, but they are better than starting with nothing and saving lots of time.

Timing

Do you need to order now? If your supplier can supply in a week, do you need more than a week or two of stock? As a rule, order small and often.

What do you have

If you have other stock in storage, consider selling what you have rather than buying new stock.

Space

Do you have space to display the new products? The main reason stock is forgotten is that it cannot be displayed, as there is already an excessive amount of it.

Retail stock control strategy

Successful stock levels are an ongoing systematic process, and modern retail success increasingly depends on efficient capital deployment and operational excellence.

In modern retail, forgotten stock is inexcusable! Start with a comprehensive audit now.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

September is a challenging month for the toy industry, covering four separate marketing seasons. Grasping these seasons is essential for toy retailers aiming to boost their profits. Contrary to what many say, toy sales rarely occur organically; it is artificial, coming from marketing campaigns. Recent late August data confirms this.

Four Critical Toy Sales Trends Happening Now

Father's Day Ripple Effects

Father's Day's impact extends far beyond the day itself, generating sales for quite a while. What happens is that Dad receives a game as a gift, the family bonds with it, and other families learn about it through word-of-mouth marketing, wanting these games too. Not only that, but as children enjoy playing games with Dad, they actively request similar toys for themselves. Savvy retailers should examine toy products that align with popular Father's Day gifts. Based on last year, board games, building sets, and interactive toys have consistently shown increased sales now.

Strategic Timing Considerations

Major toy suppliers are currently testing their Christmas product lines to gauge consumer response before placing massive holiday orders. What retailers are now seeing are experimental Christmas toys released in limited quantities to measure market reception. Suppliers want to identify which products to push for the holiday season. While this presents learning opportunities about upcoming trends, you should exercise caution in getting too much involved. If the suppliers do not push them over Christmas, they will not sell.

Weather

Australian families are moving from winter indoor activities to spring outdoor play, though weather patterns remain unpredictable, especially in Melbourne. This shift creates two immediate required actions. This is your final opportunity to clear winter stock at attractive prices, and we must now shift our focus toward outdoor toys.

Educational Focus

Parents are increasingly looking at the educational benefits when choosing children's toys. They want toys that do learning with entertainment. Most importantly, they are prepared to pay higher prices for toys they see as educational tools rather than just for fun.

Current Best-Selling Categories

LEGO Dominates Market Performance

LEGO products are currently topping the toy sales charts, with Minecraft-themed sets performing strongly. This success comes from LEGO's unique position at the crossroads of education and entertainment. Parents see LEGO as tools for educational growth. Kids view them as fun and engaging. This dual appeal sustains steady sales across various price ranges and age groups.

Arts and Crafts

Drawing and art supply sets are now experiencing exceptional sales growth throughout September. These products function as bridge items between traditional stationery and trending creative toys. This positioning allows retailers to capture customers from both groups while getting reasonable prices.

Board Games and Strategy Games Trending Together

Multiple board game and card game categories are trending well, demonstrating the Father's Day ripple effect in action. Families who discovered games together continue seeking similar products for ongoing entertainment.

This trend supports broader inventory investments across the board game category rather than focusing on individual titles.

Premium vs. Value Positioning

Action figures and collectables from various franchises are performing well due to coordinated industry-wide promotional campaigns. Collectables work particularly effectively as impulse purchases when positioned near point-of-sale areas.

Strategic Product Recommendations for September

High-Profit, Space-Efficient Options

Puzzle games and brain teasers will deliver excellent profit margins while requiring minimal storage space. These products appeal to multiple age groups and maintain consistent year-round demand. Card games, including strategy games and family options, provide compact storage solutions with high profit potential. Pocket-sized games give an added value as travel-friendly options for active families. These products can also serve as a backup source of entertainment if weather conditions change unexpectedly.

Premium Investment Considerations

Large construction sets, particularly LEGO products, can generate substantial profits if you can get reasonable prices. However, these items require significant floor space.

Premium toy investments depend heavily on specific market demographics and available retail space. Retailers in affluent areas with adequate space can successfully capitalise on premium demand.

Your Next Steps

September toys are difficult to navigate. You must plan strategically.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

91.34% of online searches in Australia are done through Google. In Australia, where market shares above 40-50% raise concerns, a market share of 91% is considered a monopoly or near-monopoly under competition law. It gives you a feel of how mighty Google is in searches here. Now, since almost everyone uses Google, you have to try to get into it. Here is an idea on how to get your business on Google without incurring any costs, using Instagram.

Now, since July 2025, Google has been showing public posts from a professional account on Instagram for free in its search results. It means your products can appear when people search on Google for free. For example, say you run a newsagency in Sydney. Your Reel showing new stationery items with hashtags like #SydneyStationery could appear in Google searches for "stationery near me." It helps potential customers find your business during everyday searches.

Practical Steps to Get Started

1. If you do not have one, you need to set up an Instagram Business account. It is a simple process that takes minutes.

2. Convert your existing account to a business profile

Open Instagram settings Select "Switch to Professional Account" Choose "Business."

3. Then fill in your business information:

Make sure to add

Add trading hours Address Contact methods

Make sure that these are correct, as if they are wrong, the customer cannot come.

Make sure your details include a clear call-to-action, like "Visit our store for the latest "

4. Post regularly 

You should post 3-5 times per week to stay visible.

For your posts, you need to write captions with clear product names and location tags like "Sydney CBD stationery set" to get the most from search benefits. You do not want to confuse Google. If Google is confused, it will drop you.

If you are currently using Facebook, you will find that you can use your Facebook posts for Instagram. 

Analytics That Help You Make Decisions

After 3 weeks, check Insights weekly on Instagram to track your progress. Look at your high-performing content Now repeat what works and stop what doesn't work well. What I find is looking at the scores and saying what the person is based on these scores, looking at my page, and what they want. Then, after making what we call a persona, I write for that person.

Now, review your POS System to see how it aligns with Instagram. Commonly, they are different. That may be a fact, as online people are not the same as your shop's customers, or you are posting something wrong.

Over time, this is a strong strategy that supports your growth without extra costs.

Next Steps

Convert your Instagram profile today for instant access to free tools at no risk. Use the analytics from your three weeks of posts to identify strategic changes, then make improvements.

Here's an affordable way to boost Lotto sales: an astrological event on September 13, 2025, offers a perfect marketing hook. This "Lucky Day" with positive energy is ideal for a themed promotion that excites customers and increases sales.

Why September 13 Is a "Lucky Day"?

Well, it's because in Astrology, we have a rare Mercury 'Cazimi' in Virgo. What that means exactly, I am not sure, but it's supposed to enhance insight and spark revelations. It's a time for clear thinking, a new beginning, as the cosmic forces around September 12 and 13 are full of good luck. So we have golden opportunities, making it a day when astrologers believe lucky breaks are more likely to happen.

Interestingly, this is true in Western and Chinese astrology. In Chinese, it is a "Wood Establish" day, which is considered ideal for starting new projects, especially for those with the Rooster zodiac.

Capitalise on the Cosmic Buzz

Thematic promotions boost customer engagement and turn event-based marketing into profits. TattsLotto sellers can leverage astrological events as fun luck-themed promotions.

Create Your "Lucky Day" Atmosphere

Posters and signs are very cost-effective for advertising such events. All you need to do is create a simple, eye-catching poster to display in your window or near the counter. The message should be easy to read and engaging. See some samples above that I made.

Place these signs in prominent locations, such as near the front door or at the point of sale. Hold a brief meeting to explain the "Lucky Day" idea to your staff so they feel confident discussing it with customers. When your team is involved, customers are more likely to discuss the promotion, and such conversations often result in sales.

If you have a Facebook page, why not post a short message about the "Lucky Day" event? Use a title like "Is September 13 a Lucky Day to Play TattsLotto?" to attract interest.

How to Measure Your Success

After the event is over, you need to know if it was a success. Here are some key metrics:

• Did you sell more Lotto tickets on September 13 than on a typical Saturday?
• Did more people come into your shop?
• Did customers spend more money than usual?

It is where your POS system is a massive help, as instead of guessing, you can look at the real numbers.

What's Your Next Winning Promotion?

A "Lucky Day" event is one example of many creative marketing ideas you can use to make sales. With some planning, you can turn any fun holiday or local event into a profitable promotion. For more inspiration, explore here a list of retail promotion ideas that suit any occasion.

For example, do you sell comics well  on the 25th of September, which is coming up, we have "Comic Book Day" 

Please be Honest and Responsible

Give it a go, and let me know how you went.

Remember the "luck" aspect here is just for a bit of fun. Astrology is a very dubious practice and shouldn't be used to make life decisions.

Retail analytics refers to utilising sales, stock, and customer data from your POS to inform better decisions that drive revenue and profit growth. A modern POS system enables these insights to be obtained faster and more easily. When you utilise your POS data effectively, you can identify what sells, where margins are generated, and how customers shop, allowing you to adjust stock, prices, and promotions with confidence.

A quick Father’s Day check in your POS System.

Father’s Day is a good example because it is seasonal, has known gift trends, and gives you a clean way to compare this year with last year in your POS. In 2025, Australians were expected to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on gifts, with fewer shoppers but higher average spending, so category mix and margin mattered significantly. I use its Sales Comparison report to see how the shop performed this week versus last week, and then against the week of Father's Day last year to get a sense of seasonality.

Go to Register reports

Now select Sales register > Sales comparison

​

Choose dates that match.

Like-for-like dates provide fair comparisons, so start with “last 7 days” versus “previous 7 days” to see how Father’s Day week performed. Next, compare the Father’s Day period this year to the same period last year to remove the effects of weekends and holiday timing that can skew the numbers. 

So we want this year's date 1/9/25 to 7/9/25 vs 26/8/24 to 1/9/24 

If you want a steadier view, use a four‑week block this year versus the same four‑week block last year to smooth out spikes.

The key numbers to check

Begin with the summary view of the Sales Comparison report, then focus on Quantity, Net Sales, COGS, Gross Profit dollars, and Gross Profit percent to see what drove results. Sort by gross profit dollars to find the categories that did the most work for your margin, then look at gross profit percent to check if discounting cut into your margin. These fields are standard in POS reports and give you a fast read on where to dig deeper if something looks off.

A simple Father’s Day read‑out

Run the Sales Comparison summary for the last 7 days versus the previous 7 days, then scan profit dollars and profit percentage by category to identify areas for further investigation. If one department jumps out, open the detail view for that department to find the SKUs that drove the change and check if discounting or price changes were involved. Re‑run the comparison against last year’s matched period and, if needed, over a four‑week window to confirm if the change is genuine and not just a one‑week spike. Balance your read-out with the known Father’s Day categories in Australia to guide replenishment and any follow-up promotions after the event.

Make sense of what changed.

If profit dollars rose while units fell, the result may stem from higher prices, a better mix, or both. Therefore, examine the items that grew and determine if this trend can be sustained without harming demand. If units rose but gross profit percent fell, promotion depth may be too high, so review discount rules and try bundles or value adds that keep margin healthy. If traffic looked strong but sales were flat, the issue may be conversion or merchandising, so check busy hours and staff coverage in the POS to plan rosters and training.

Avoid common traps

Do not compare random calendar months without adjusting for the number of weekends or the exact timing of Father’s Day, because this can mislead your decisions. Always start with matched weeks or matched four-week blocks, then drill down only when the summary shows a significant swing that requires an explanation.

Make it a habit.

It's an outstanding report, and I suggest that you use it often, as it makes it easy to spot trends early and act. I recommend it for Christmas, back‑to‑school, Mother’s Day, and local events.

Your next step

Open Reports, run the Sales Comparison for the last 7 days versus the previous 7 days. Check profit dollars and profit percentage first, then drill into any category that has moved significantly in either direction. Re‑run against last year’s matched period and, if helpful, as a four‑week comparison to confirm the pattern is real and not a one‑off. Save this setup as a preset, schedule it weekly, and keep using the same columns so your review stays under a minute and your team knows exactly what to act on.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

On 8 September 1983, POS Solutions began in my St Kilda flat bedroom with a simple premise: I could write something to help retailers run their businesses better. As a young programmer with ambitious plans, I transformed my bedroom into my workspace. As soon as the company grew, my business partner Zac, a computer engineer, joined. Our headquarters grew to the living room, creating an environment where innovation thrived alongside determination.

The Foundation of Sustainable Growth

Our move from a flat in St Kilda to several offices nationwide has been driven by two core principles that still guide us today. These weren't just business strategies but fundamental beliefs about how technology companies should support their clients in an industry where reliability and backing are vital.

Research and Development Excellence

Investment in research and development has become the foundation of our strategy. It allows us to deliver software solutions that reliably address real-world retail challenges. We focused on developing features that retailers can use. We concentrated on addressing practical issues. This approach listens to retailer feedback, understands challenges, and turns insights into software updates.

Support as a Professional

Customer support, we recognised at the start that any point-of-sale software is useless without good support.

Gratitude

To all who have been part of our story — the employees who bring expertise and passion, our customers who trust us with their business, our industry partners who have helped us grow, and those reading this who have followed our progress — we sincerely thank you. 

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In today's business world, with smartphones, it is easy to take photos that can be shared and communicate more effectively than words alone. Today, people expect good quality photos. What is happening is that they glance at your picture on Facebook/Instagram. If it's not a clear, well-lit product photo, it makes it easier for them to see, and they move on to the next one. You only have a second today.

Here are some of the key ways to leverage your smartphone camera in business for visual communication:

Examples of communicating visually today

• Often, we attach photos to emails when describing an issue or product to provide visual context.
• Use the camera to photograph signed contracts or other documents for digital transmission quickly.
• Showing the product we are selling.
• A visual catalogue for our e-commerce site
• Pictures of the shop to showcase our business on social media
• Photograph equipment, buildings, products, and other relevant items to report issues that need addressing.

Tips for Taking Good Business Photos with Your Smartphone

• Activate gridlines in your camera app to help frame and level your shots.
• Take multiple photos and move around to get different angles and perspectives. You can delete the bad ones later! I, as a rule, take about 20. 
• Shine a light on it before photographing products or other objects. Sunlight is best as it's more natural. 
• If possible, put it on a small table so the light falls across the product from the side. Then place a sheet of white card on the opposite side of the product to bounce light back in and gently fill the darker side. It both keeps the photo clean without needing a flash and reduces the harsh shadows. 
• Hold the phone steady because a steady shot looks sharper.
• Move the object, if possible, rather than the camera.
• You want three angles ideally.
• Turn off the flash to avoid overexposure and glare.
• Take many photos,   it costs nothing to take a picture, so take a heap and delete the bad ones.
• Don't strive for perfection - smartphone photos don't need to be works of art to serve your business needs!

While smartphone cameras have limitations, they can produce more than good enough visuals for everyday business needs. Following a few basic best practices goes a long way.

Don't let the quest for perfect photos stop you from visually communicating to improve your operations and marketing.

“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” Henri Cartier-Bresson

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Windows 10 support has now ended. If your computer is running Windows 10, it will work; however, you will no longer get Microsoft technical support. This matters because it will be easier to hack. If you like, you can pay for Microsoft Extended Security Updates (ESU).

First step: check each PC

Start by checking if your computer can upgrade to Windows 11 using Microsoft's PC Health Check tool. It will also explain the details if it fails. For more information, see here.

What to do now

Run PC Health Check on every computer

If the PC is good

Suppose the device passes PC Health. We suggest scheduling an upgrade to Windows 11, which moves you to a supported, secure platform with ongoing updates. Please perform this upgrade outside your trading hours to prevent downtime.

If your computer fails

If a device fails the check, we recommend that you either enrol it in Windows 10 ESU, which means you will get Microsoft's support, but you have to pay for it, or replace the computer. Running a computer without Microsoft support is not recommended.

Recommended device standards

Currently, we recommend that your minimum computer now be an i5‑class CPU or equivalent, 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD for standard computers and your main computer have 16 GB RAM for back‑office. Ensure that whatever you get has sufficient USB ports for scanners, printers, and other devices.

FAQ

Q: Will Windows 10 stop working?

A: No, it keeps running. There will be no further free security updates, bug fixes, or Microsoft support, and the risk increases over time if you continue to use it.

Q: Is there a paid security option?

A: Yes, ESU adds security updates after the end of support

Q: What is the last Windows 10 version?

A: Version 22H2.

Q: How do I check Windows 11 readiness?

A: Use Microsoft's PC Health Check

Q: What is the Windows 11 basic computer?

A: Windows 11 needs at least a 64‑bit CPU, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, UEFI with Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. We suggest a bit more to give you a smoother upgrade.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Shoplifting poses a serious threat to Australian retailers. Recent research has highlighted a rising perception of crime across communities. Today, Australians increasingly see crime as a growing problem. Sixty-six per cent now agree it's growing in their areas, which is the highest level in a decade.

This perception has increased by 15% over the past four years, which aligns with the complex data showing a 12% national rise in theft incidents from 2021 to 2024. I have discussed this here before, highlighting how shoplifting has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Part of the reason is that attitudes have changed. Many no longer view theft as wrong. They often blame stores for weak security. If a shop seems vulnerable, they reason it's the business's fault. Additionally, it has been fueled by growing economic desperation since COVID, and Australian living standards have experienced a significant decline, with the sharpest fall in real household disposable incomes in decades, which is pushing some towards theft.

It is a reality today that I have spoken with retailers throughout Australia. They all share stories of thieves now being bolder.

The Real Impact on Your Retail Business

Say an SMB shop with $700,000 in annual sales and a 30% margin. Shrinkage from theft at 1.5% to 2% would cut profits by 4%. In low-margin sectors like newsagencies, this could destroy a business entirely. I've advised retailers who have been hit even harder by this. I have seen shops where we discovered inventory gaps of thousands over a few months.

Shrinkage affects more than finances. It leads to stockouts, as computerised controls no longer work, so we see frustrated customers who go elsewhere. That alone can destroy a shop's goodwill.

If not addressed early, thieves grow bolder. They learn your weaknesses and will return to exploit them.

Measure the problem with facts

Firstly, determine the size of the problem. Your accountant can assist you here, or if you prefer, you can do it yourself, as it's not particularly difficult.

Look at the year 2023/24 and write the stock on hand at the start of the 2024/25 year, say $X

Now, look at the stocktake of your shop that you conducted at the end of the 2024/25 year, say $Y.

Now, take from your financial report in 2024/25 the sales figure $S, and the purchase figures $P

Now, estimate your margin. You will need a gut feel for this.

Now your (Theoretical Stock on hand) = (Stock at the start of the financial year = $X) + (Purchases in the financial year = $P) - (Sales this financial year = $S) *(1-Margin%)

The (Missing stock) = (Theoretical Stock on hand) - (Stock value now from the stock take $Y)

If you want to compare your figure with others the formula = 1 - (Missing stock)/(Theoretical Stock on hand)

I have seen many at this stage go white.

Finally, follow these steps to calculate Theoretical Sales at Retail.

Formula: Theoretical Sales = ((Stock at the start of the financial year = $X) + (Purchases in the financial year = $P) - (Stock value now from the stock take= $Y)) / (1 - Margin%)

It provides the theoretical basis by treating all missing stock as if it had been sold.

Now, calculate the Difference (Actual Sales - Theoretical Sales), which gives us the revenue lost to shoplifting.

Working example with numbers

Assume

Stock at the start of the financial year = $100,000 Purchases in the financial year = $200,000 Sales in the financial year = $250,000 Stock take figure at the end of the year = $90,000 Margin% = 40%

Example with these hypothetical numbers

Theoretical Stock = $100,000 + $200,000 - $250,000 × (1 - 0.4) = $300,000 - $150,000 = $150,000

Missing Stock = $150,000 - $90,000 = $60,000 (at cost)

Theoretical Sales = ($100,000 + $200,000 - $90,000) / (1 - 0.4) = $210,000 / 0.6 ≈ $350,000

Difference = $250,000 - $350,000 = -$100,000

This analysis does not reveal how much stock was lost (generally external) or how much money was stolen from you (almost always internal). Although it is a reality, it tends to be a combination of both so we can say here that somewhere between $60,000 of stock is missing and $100,000 in money. Most analysist here would simply halve the difference and say you have lost $30,000 in stock and $50,000 in stolen money. 

Effective Prevention

Mapping theft hot spots

I would firstly suggest that you map out the blind spots and risky areas in your shop. I have discussed this with detailed instructions point by point here.

What it does is map theft hot spots to your shop layout. What you are looking for are the danger areas in your shop; this visual method is a quick method to improve your design. Knowing where the stuff disappears can give you a good idea of whether the problem is internal or external.

In practice, simple changes can also be effective, such as improving lighting or adjusting staff positions, which cost little and yield significant results.

One client, after doing this, found that their end-of-aisle displays were targets. They moved the camera there, which helped to cut their losses almost immediately.

Employee Theft: A Hidden Threat

Internal theft hurts deeply. It's often subtle, accumulating over time. Many staff today see it as a perk. Our POS tracks user actions and audit trails. It identifies anomalies. A client uncovered years of losses this way. Address it early. Combine with staff training for accountability. Protect your business while supporting your team.

One idea is to have a camera pointing at the tills, allowing for visual monitoring of what goes in and out. Review this footage and compare your sales audit figures to ensure they match one another. You may be surprised by what you find. I had one client who did this and discovered that one employee was taking money, putting it in the till without ringing it up, and later taking it out. I like what he told the police after he was reported: "I took the money but did not steal it."

Conclusion

Shoplifting is estimated to cost $9 billion a year; it's the largest crime by value in Australia. Shoplifting incidents have nearly doubled from 2022 to 2024, as accurately measured through stock analysis and theoretical sales calculations. Quantify the losses and understand your current position.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

There are some key changes to the privacy laws that will affect us all.

The Small Business Exemption Is Ending

For years, businesses with an annual turnover under $3 million were usually exempt from privacy laws. The exemption is about to end.

Soon, every business will be required to comply with Australian Privacy Laws. What it means is that if you record a person's email for receipts or a phone number for deliveries, it constitutes personal information. It must be protected. Whether the person was brought to you or not is not relevant. It is your business that has collected this information on that person.

Penalties are higher

The government is significantly increasing fines for privacy breaches. It's worth noting that legal costs will add even more to the overall expense.

Direct Lawsuits May Become Possible

Currently, customers must first complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The proposed changes would let customers sue businesses directly for privacy breaches. It creates a higher financial risk if you mismanage data.

International Customer Complications

I have previously inquired numerous times without receiving a proper response: if your customer is an overseas citizen, we need to consider the legal regulations of their home country. Many countries also have privacy laws.

Considering these changes, let's take some practical steps to safeguard your retail business and ensure our compliance.

Practical Steps for your business

It is crucial that you:

Review what personal information you collect. Only gather what you actually need. If you do not need it, do not collect it. Then store all your information securely. If possible, use encryption, many backyp systems provide such a service. Delete any information you no longer need. This may be tough, as generally, all Australian businesses are required to retain business records for a minimum of seven years. I have clients who are required to retain certain information for 30 years.

Train your staff on privacy basics. Everyone should understand that customer data is confidential and protected.

Check who has access to your customer information and remove unnecessary people.

Handling Customer Privacy Complaints

If a customers complain about their privacy:

Step 1: Respond Immediately

It's a customer, and you want their goodwill, so send an immediate response.

Send a response, like: "We're sorry for any frustration this has caused. We're taking this matter seriously and are investigating now." This shows professionalism without admitting legal fault. If you admit fault here, your insurance policy may be voided. You may also be seen as admitting to a criminal act.

Step 2: Investigate Thoroughly

Review any records you have. Consult with your staff if relevant. Document everything you find.

Don't delete data immediately, as you might need it to resolve the complaint properly. I had one newsagency where the customer demanded to be present when his information was destroyed.

Keep detailed notes of your investigation process.

Step 3: Seek Expert Advice When Needed

If the complaint feels severe, don't guess. Seek external advice. Contact your industry association, a legal expert, or the OAIC for guidance. Be sure to note that you have documented this and note what instructions they provided.

Step 4: Provide a Clear Resolution

You must respond within 30 days. Do not be late. In your response, offer them a solution and apologise for the obvious distress this has caused your customer. It may involve correcting or deleting information. With me, it would be deleting it.

If customers are still unhappy with your solution, well, you must notify them about their right to file a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Preparing Your Business

It's essential to remember that customer data privacy extends beyond simply complying with the law. If customers think their information isn't safe, I doubt they'll stay with you.

This article provides general guidance and should not be considered legal advice. Consult privacy professionals for specific situations.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

The computer running your Point of Sale (POS) system is the heart of your retail operation. It's the engine driving sales, managing inventory, and providing the information hub. As a retail systems expert, I've seen many business owners choose hardware-based solutions too often, often driven by aesthetics, only to face issues with reliability and cost down the line. Many have to choose between the modern aesthetics of an all-in-one and the robust reliability of a tower PC. But what if you didn't have to compromise? Savvy SMB retailers benefit from a strategic hardware setup that offers long-term value and a sleek, customer-facing look.

Reliability is Non-Negotiable

In retail, uptime is money. Every moment your POS system is down results in lost sales, wasted time, and damage to your reputation. The primary benefit of a tower's design is that it is fundamentally more reliable and far easier to repair than its compact counterparts. It makes it a clear winner for minimising downtime.

Imagine a power supply fails. A technician can quickly replace it in a tower PC, reducing downtime and costs. Your business can be working almost immediately. A slick case where all components are integrated, the same failure often requires shipping the entire machine to a service centre, leaving you without a POS terminal for days.

The tower case's spacious interior makes cleaning easier. Better airflow and layout reduce dust buildup.

This modular advantage extends to peripherals. A broken monitor or faulty keyboard can be replaced instantly by anyone on your team, without needing a service call.

Physical security is another key advantage. The computer itself can be securely placed under a table, protected from spills, damage, or theft. It leaves only the less expensive monitor and peripherals exposed.

Furthermore, the airflow in a tower case is improved, which reduces overheating, a significant cause of computer problems. Retail environments often work computers hard.

A Smarter Investment for Growth

As your business grows and software evolves, your hardware will need upgrades. Today, for example, we often add more RAM and storage. Tower PCS make these upgrades easy and cost-effective, while sealed all-in-one or laptop systems usually require full replacements.

The Smart Retailer's Setup: A Hybrid Hardware Strategy

We've established here that for core reliability, repairability, and long-term value, a tower PC is the superior choice for your primary server or back-office computer. However, at the customer-facing checkout counter, aesthetics and a clean, modern look are crucial for brand perception. Here is where a strategic, hybrid approach provides the perfect solution. We recommend using a robust tower PC, preferably one that is not visible to customers, such as in the back office, to serve as the central hub of your operation. For the obvious front counters, a sleek all-in-one POS terminal provides the modern aesthetic retailers desire.

This setup gives you the best of both worlds:

Reliability

Your primary business data and operations run on a stable, cool, and easily serviceable tower.

Front-Counter Aesthetics

Your customers experience a clean, modern, and professional checkout.

By separating these roles, you isolate risk. A failure at a single front-counter terminal won't bring down your entire operation, and your most critical hardware is protected.

Your Foundation for Success

The proper retail POS hardware is more than just a computer; it's a strategic setup balancing performance and presentation. This foundation is complete when paired with powerful, intuitive software.

Our experts offer a free consultation to design a customised POS solution tailored to your needs and budget.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Father's Day remains a key event on the retail calendar for retailers. What we are seeing now is that consumer behaviour is shifting. The latest 2025 analysis confirms the trend we have observed for some time, that while fewer people are buying gifts, those who do are spending significantly more. For retailers, success now depends on targeting premium spenders who value quality and value, rather than high-volume sales, to ensure a profitable Father's Day. What we are looking at now is 4.7 million shoppers.

Recent data shows changes in popular gift categories. The leading gift categories are now alcohol/food (17%), clothing/shoes (14%), and grooming items (7%). I noticed our advice in 2024 to stock male grooming products is now strongly supported by this new data.

To identify and cater to these high-value shoppers effectively, your most potent tool is already at your disposal: your POS system.

Use your POS Data

Your POS system is more than a cash register; with us, it's an information hub. It maintains a precise record of sales from previous years, providing a reliable basis for your sales and stock planning.

Identify Proven Winners with Sales Analytics

Start by running a "Top Stock Sales" report in your POS system. Set the date range from August 22, 2024, to September 3, 2024, to cover the peak Father's Day shopping period from last year. I've added a few days here because there are always late buyers. This report gives you a list of your best-selling products. These are your proven sellers.

Don't forget to check inventory levels now. Running out of stock now will cost you. So check your stock, which is easy to do in your POS System.

Analyse Customer Trends for Smarter Stocking

Use your bundle sales report to use a cross-selling technique. If a product sells well with another product, put them together. There is no problem in putting a good seller in two different positions in your shop.

Create an Appealing and Seamless Shopping Experience

The in-store experience for committed buyers must be seamless and consistent. Once you've identified your bestsellers, effective merchandising is crucial. Since many purchases are driven by impulse, a clear, persuasive, and curated display now is highly effective.

Make a nice stand

Create a dedicated display in a high-traffic area of your store, using that stand, and set up a specific section with a sign that reads 'Top Sellers'. If you have the older signs 'Customer Favourites', you will find that they do not resonate well today. Stock your data-proven bestsellers here. This concept employs social proof in marketing. Using it will significantly boost the chances of making a high-value sale.

Brighten the display to draw eyes, and keep paths clear so shoppers can easily reach items.

Ready to Maximise Your Father's Day Sales?

The 2025 Father's Day season is about data-driven retail. You need to consider the shift towards fewer, higher-spending shoppers.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Now people are looking at using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve their business. We have seen firsthand here how such AI tools can be used. I was reading a recent survey of social media (advertisers) managers by Metricool here, and I immediately saw another use of how these AI tools can be used.

Survey Insights on AI Usage

Metricool did a deep analysis, and what struck me was just how many of these people 96% were using AI to create advertisements. 72.6% doing so daily. Interestingly, half of them rely on free versions of tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Perplexity. So what they do is available to any retailer.

The first point that stands out is the efficiency gain. Nearly 79% of respondents say AI saves them significant time. Another 77.9% value AI most for generating ideas to promote products, followed by 72.5% who use it for writing content. When it comes to quality, the survey shows promising results. Of those who compared AI-generated material to traditional content, 59% found it on par, 33% deemed it better, and only 8% said it was worse. As professionals in marketing, our standards are high, so imagine how this could elevate our efforts, as we are not professional copywriters. For SMB businesses, this means producing tailored ads quickly, without outsourcing or spending hours.

Real-World Retail Example: Father's Day Campaign

Let's explore how this plays out for SMB retailers. Say you're preparing for Father's Day. You could prompt an AI tool just as I did here. Note, I use Perplexity, which we offered our readers here at a significantly discounted rate a while ago. It has a space set up for a fictional newsagency.

I liked the last idea, so I asked the AI to write a Facebook post.

Now I did like it but thought maybe I should ask for a few other ideas so I asked

I did like the post 1 idea the best, but it was a bit short so I went 

This all took under a minute to generate. If I was to post it to Facebook, I would add a quick photo from my your mobile and then I would have a decent Facebook post advertising my shop.

Practical Tips for Getting Started

Start simple

Choose a free AI tool, I like Perplexity, but Google Gemini or ChatGPT, all are also excellent.

Now experiment, like using your POS System reports to find your top ten selling products. Now ask AI to generate a Facebook post for the shop to market one of these products.

Edit your Facebook post

I find it good to ask for a few different ideas, and feel free to contribute.  

Post your Facebook post

Remember to add a photo.

Monitor results.

Track your results.

Looking Ahead: Empower Your Business

Embracing AI in advertising helps SMB retailers to compete.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

The survey below offers interesting insights from a 2025 report on Australian coffee trends. It shows that even with our rising living costs and increased green coffee bean prices, quality remains the most important. Coffee sellers must focus on taste. They must create a great customer experience. They must make wise pricing choices.

Key Takeaways

Coffee sellers need to succeed in 2025 to:

• Prioritise coffee quality
• Adjust pricing responsibly
• Manage milk alternative surcharges carefully, ideally including costs in base prices.
• Remember, coffee is a daily treat; customers aren’t ready to give up.
• Utilise your POS System for loyalty, inventory, and pricing to maximise your coffee sales.

Why Taste Dominates Coffee Trends in 2025

For Australians, taste remains the top priority when choosing where to buy coffee. The survey states that 73% of respondents state taste and quality as the most critical point. They need to focus on:

• Top-quality beans
• Having the right equipment
• Training staff on how to brew the coffee correctly.

After taste, pricing is the most important factor shaping purchasing decisions and plays a significant role in consumers' decision-making.

After understanding the importance of taste, it’s equally valuable to grasp customer expectations around pricing to balance quality with affordability.

Managing Coffee Prices in Australia: Expectations and Opportunities

Most customers report being comfortable in paying up to $5.50 for a small flat white, but anything over $6.65 is viewed as too expensive. Interestingly, regional differences by state are pretty minor.

As many cafes underprice their coffee compared to these expectations, it suggests an opportunity for many to raise prices strategically without losing demand. Your POS System is ideal to test variations and monitor its sales impacts in real time.

Beyond pricing, other factors like milk choices and surcharges are shaping customer loyalty in essential ways.

Navigating Milk Alternatives and Surcharges

Surcharges everywhere have become a problem, and in coffee, too. I have seen some studies that suggest it's best to raise all coffee prices by 15 cents for a cup and eliminate the 50-cent surcharge for alternatives like oat or almond milk. However, this survey indicates that 86% find that if you levy a surcharge of 50 cents or less, it is seen as reasonable. What is troubling is that about one-third believe that there should be no surcharge.

Despite additional costs, coffee remains an affordable luxury.

Coffee as an Affordable Luxury: Understanding the Treat Factor

Coffee is considered a daily treat by about 40% of Australians today. Despite our economic pressures, 84% plan to spend the same or more on coffee in 2025.

Consider using your POS system’s free CRM to create loyalty programs that reward frequent buyers with points, reinforcing the treat mentality. With its real-time tracking of your customer habits, it allows you to offer personalised recommendations.

Market Growth Opportunities

Coffee market punches above its weight. It is over $10 billion a year. This is larger than bread, newspapers, and books. This reflects Australia's coffee obsession. We have over 20,000 cafes.

Coffee is often seen as a daily essential or a luxury rather than just a beverage.

Conclusion

Start implementing these strategies today to stay ahead in Australia’s thriving coffee market.

This article draws from the Seven Miles Coffee Roasters and Lightspeed Research survey, attached here.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

This is a popular Customer Modelling System for Australian Retailers. It is built on the behavioural customer types. It categorises shoppers by their motivations and actions in your store, rather than broad traits like age or income.

Segmentation

In your shop, customers can be divided into five key groups based on their behaviour.

You look at the person, categorise them into the relevant group, and then adjust your approach to them based on this segmentation.

The figures below come from a study we did with sensors attached to our POS System.

Casual/Wandering Customers

They make up 30-40% of foot traffic in Australian stores, but their conversion rates are low. Still, they offer untapped potential for satisfaction. Yet these customers represent untapped potential customer satisfaction. I have noticed that just talking to them helps.

Repeat or loyal customers

These are the lifeblood of your retail businesses. Generally they make up about 8-20% of your visitors, but they spend big often 67% more per transaction and what is better they return frequently. They are providing you with stable cash flow.

It is the group that loyalty programs attack as 70% of consumers are influenced by retailer loyalty programs. 35% readily admit it makes them visit more often while 19% state it influences them to spend more.

Exact-need customers

These people know precisely what they want and want quick service. Today they represent about 20-30% of your traffic. COVID turned many customers into this category but since then their numbers have dropped.

If you have what they want they drive moderate but reliable sales. Delays can send them to competitors, so focus on streamlined processes. From my experience, if you see these people in your shop, and you tend to know them by just looking what works well is to ask them direct questions like "What specifications do you need?" or "What price do you have?". Don't waste time up selling initially. They have done their research. Once they commit to a purchase, you can always try to sell them more, e.g. if they want a book by a particular author, once they agree to buy your book, you can always suggest a another similar book.

If these people are a major part of your business, you need fast lanes to cut down lead times. Such efficiency can differentiate your business.

Sale/Discount Customers

These are the bargain hunters, who are on the hunt for good deals. They comprising about 10-20% of traffic. Your POS System can help a lot here to get them into your shop, use flash sales and set up a clearance section in your shop. More here on this. What makes this work well is that this section can be in the worst part of the shop as these people will go there.

If you use them strategically you can move much slow/dead stock.

Trigger/Impulse Customers

These customers act on spontaneous urges, and can add 40% much to your bottom line despite being 10-15% of traffic. If you have interesting gifts you can display on an eye-catching displays, you can make a real winner here.

Now that we've covered the five customer types, let's explore how to put this segmentation into practice in your daily operations.

Implementing segmentation.

Once you are used to this method, it shines in its simplicity as you do not need to worry about demographic models, age or income.

Determining your cash and EFTPOS payment breakup involves reviewing the mix of payment methods your customers use, such as cash, debit cards, and credit cards. We are going to do it directly from your point-of-sale (POS) system. 

This matters now so much as in the current climate, with RBA discussions focusing on making payments fairer for consumers while claiming to protect merchants, knowing your payment mix will help you forecast potential impacts. In my view, their proposals will encourage customers to drop lower-fee methods like cash and debit, and push the consumer to premium credit cards with high fees. 

Go to the main menu and select "End of day."

Click where it has a green arrow.

Now, in your Options menu, marked in a green square, tick everything. You will not be sorry if you get too much.

The part of the report you are looking for is the Sales Payment Breakup below.

Pick an appropriate period, generally the last year. Running it a few times with slightly different dates as you may get a better value with different dates. One caveat here is that cash receipts are going up slightly now.

Also while you are there, I suggest checking some of the other great information there such as hourly breakups, to understand peak times for specific payment methods. If your mornings see more cash sales from quick coffee runs, while evenings lean towards cards for larger purchases, you can tailor promotions accordingly. In my experience, retailers who dive into these details often uncover trends that lead to smarter decisions, like staffing adjustments or targeted discounts. 

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

I have had over two decades of experience helping SMB businesses with retail ecommerce in Australia. Over time, I've seen how the correct e-commerce setup can make sales. Here are some key questions that many retailers face.

Firstly, setting up an e-commerce shop involves choosing the right tools that complement your physical retail operations. It's about creating a seamless experience where online and in-shop sales work together. What I suggest is a well-integrated setup that opens new revenue streams. I will try to break it down, highlighting how the right approach can address these pain points and position your business for success.

Key Steps

Define a Niche and your Target Audience

You need to identify products that sell online, considering your customers' demographics.

Choose an E-commerce Platform

Select a tool based on your needs.

Build Your Online Store

It must work for you.

Market Your Products

You need a marketing strategy to reach your customers. What works for SMB retailers is to use their existing customers. 

Manage Your Store and Customers

Monitor your performance.

Understanding the E-Commerce Landscape

I believe that in today's retail landscape, e-commerce is vital for remaining competitive. Currently, many Australian retailers are seeing online sales making about 18% of their total revenue, according to recent industry reports. Shoppers now want the convenience of browsing and purchasing at their convenience. For SMB retailers, this creates an opportunity to grow beyond their local foot traffic without the huge upfront costs that expanding their shop space would require.

Do it yourself vs Professional.

Many retailers are drawn to DIY setups because platforms promise simplicity. You log in, pick a template, add products, and launch. It sounds straightforward, especially if you're somewhat tech-savvy. I've never seen owners successfully make a success of such a basic site, but this hands-on method can build your skills and teach you a great deal. If you do it yourself, the time commitment is substantial. Many platforms advertise quick launches. I find that they look cheap, adding custom features on them is difficult, the payment gateways are expensive, and they are generally slow and have limited products. Few people want to spend on such cheap-looking sites. A professional who knows what he is doing typically needs to complete a setup in two weeks to six months. If it's your first time, expect it to take much longer to see any positive results. Your knowledge gaps can compound this. What I found hard at first was tweaking configurations on a host computer; I was unfamiliar with the process and was learning on the fly. Another point often missed is that e-commerce involves proper security setups that are vital to comply with both Australian data privacy laws and to prevent fraud. Overlook these, and you could face bank disputes or legal issues. Developers bring years of experience here; they know many of the pitfalls, and have insurance that might cover you.

Another point is that design talent is significant. Not everyone has that talent. Knowledge is necessary, but it's not enough. A site that turns visitors into buyers needs a layout with appealing visuals.

While you are working it out, it will cost you. People who get to try your site are looking for a professional experience. It's unfair, but they are comparing your site to sites they are used to, such as major sites like Coles, Bunnings, and Amazon. If your site is slow, they will not wait; if it looks amateurish, they will assume your products are too, and they'll move on. Once they move on, they rarely come back.

That said, doing it yourself isn't without merit. You avoid setup fees and gain valuable experience. It would be an ideal experience for your kid who needs internet experience.

Given these hurdles, bringing in experts is the more intelligent choice. Professionals can handle the heavy lifting, delivering a site that's functional, secure, and good from day one. As I stated, if on day one it looks poor, the odds are you have lost them for good. Once your site is up, they will teach you how to use it. You will, however, need ongoing tweaks. This isn't a one-off transaction; it's a partnership that evolves with your needs.

Experts also provide insights into industry trends. They can advise on features. One point is that mobile responsiveness is crucial since over 70% of online shopping in Australia occurs on mobiles. This helps ensure your site gets more traffic.

Once you've chosen professional help, selecting the right platform becomes essential. I'll share my experience with three well-known options I know: WooCommerce, nopCommerce, and Shopify. Each has strengths tailored to different SMB requirements.

ecommerce platform Australia

Choosing a platform is like selecting the foundation for your online shop.

WooCommerce

This is both affordable and flexible, but messy. It is very cost-effective, making it ideal for SMB retailers. It allows you to have a high-quality site without breaking the bank. It starts free, but in practice, you will need extras. The cost of these extras is generally reasonable. What I appreciate is its good SEO. It helps people find your e-commerce site, which is crucial for online businesses. Its customisation is robust. I see the bugs get patched quickly.

However, it does require you to learn a lot. You need to manage as well a WordPress site. From my experience, it's best for retailers who are willing to learn.

nopCommerce

If I had to recommend one platform for most SMBs, it'd be nopCommerce. It's a flagship product with rich built-in features. As of 2025, it's free to use, with community-driven updates keeping it current. It can be adapted extensively without high costs. Well worth it if you ask me, the slightly higher price of WooCommerce.

Shopify

Shopify's popularity stems from its ease of use. You can build a nice-looking site quickly, it's perfect for dipping your toes into e-commerce. It is designed for a small business online shop. Its basic plans start at $39 per month, with higher tiers adding features like advanced reporting. It has a lot of plugins.

On the flip side, it's a more expensive system, with fees that quickly add up.

Many start here and then switch later to something else.

POS Integration

Now, let's talk integration. Without it, you're duplicating efforts; you need to update your stock and sales online, and then in your POS System. Integrating your e-commerce platform with a POS system like ours synchronises everything in real time. Sales data flows seamlessly, updating inventory across channels. For example, imagine a customer buys online from your e-commerce site. With integration, your POS System reflects the sale instantly. It notifies your staff of the details without confusion. New stock comes into the shop; it goes directly into your e-commerce shop.

Your POS System reports work, giving you accurate top-selling products, peak times, and customer behaviours. This drives efficiency gains and strategic advantages, ultimately boosting profits.

Your Next Steps

Ready to transform your retail operations? You can contact me for a chat.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.